Campbell Hausfeld Quiet Compressor: Tools of the Trade

Campbell Hausfeld 8-Gallon Quiet Compressor

Air is essential to life. And as any mechanically inclined individual knows, air is also essential to work. Whether you’re working in the field, building trucks in a shop, or nailing baseboard in your home, a quality air source is a lifesaver. An air compressor that’s well suited to your task at hand is an invaluable tool, as anyone who’s been stuck with a subpar compressor can attest to. When news of a new compressor claiming to produce half the noise of a traditional compressor crossed our desk, we knew we needed to test it out.

The pneumatic experts at Campbell Hausfeld produce compressors that range from a simple 1-gallon home inflator to a massive 30-gallon service truck unit. The latest additions to the brand’s compressor lineup, however, are the 6- and 8-gallon aptly named Quiet Compressors. At full song, the twin-motor dual-pump compressor belts out a mere 68 decibels. These compressors are geared more toward the home enthusiast than professionals. However, the 8-gallon unit we tested would make a fine addition for small shops needing a portable air source.

Out of the box, the 8-gallon Quiet Compressor required about 15 minutes worth of assembly before plugging it in for the initial 30-minute break-in cycle. Fit and finish appears to be on par with other high-end compressor brands, and the component quality indicates longevity. Campbell Hausfeld claims up to four,times longer life from key components, though it never specifically says which components these are. Quietness really is where this compressor shines. Upon first start-up, it was clear we were dealing with something special. Claims are one thing, but in the real world this compressor truly is significantly quieter than similarly sized units. We’d even venture to say the claimed half-as-quiet is conservative. Working outside with ambient noise, it’s tough to tell that the machine is even running.

The quietness is achieved through the use of special shrouds on the motors and pumps, rubber isolators between the tank and pumps, and a muffler on the air intake. Filling the tank from empty to max psi takes a bit longer than similar compressors that we’ve used, and we attribute this at least in part to the large intake muffler. It’s a trade-off that’s worth making. Aside from that, the compressor did everything we asked of it and performed admirably. It inflates tires quickly and runs basic air tools with ease. If you want to run a pneumatic sander, you’ll need to upsize, as the 8-gallon tank and refresh rate aren’t enough to keep up with that tool; impacts, ratchets, and even most paint guns run fine. Overall, the Campbell Hausfeld 8-gallon Quiet Compressor does what it claims, works fantastically, and won’t wake up the neighbors when you’re wrenching late into the night.

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| Dual pressure gauges are a nice touch. A gauge mounted at the rear of the tank (Top) keeps users apprised of actual tank pressure, while the gauge mounted at the regulator (Bottom) shows the user-defined output pressure.

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| Brand loyal? Campbell Hausfeld also offers a full line of tools and accessories to go with its compressors, with a quality that matches as well.

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